Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts
Meirowitz & Wasserberg has recovered $500M+ for asbestos patients, including a more than $32 million mesothelioma verdict. Our attorneys know what your case is worth and negotiate effectively on your behalf.
Expertise
Mr. Wasserberg is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer. He is often a featured speaker at industry summits and gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar. He is recognized by both his peers and his adversaries and is considered one of the nation’s premier mesothelioma and negligence attorneys
Content written by Dan Wasserberg
- Expertise
Mr. Wasserberg is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer. He is often a featured speaker at industry summits and gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar. He is recognized by both his peers and his adversaries and is considered one of the nation’s premier mesothelioma and negligence attorneys
Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney
Quick Links
- Average Mesothelioma Settlement
- Our Settlement & Verdict Results
- Settlements vs. Verdicts
- Factors That Affect Settlement Amounts
- Wrongful Death Mesothelioma Settlements
- Secondhand Exposure & Other Cases
- Veterans & Navy Mesothelioma Settlements
- The Mesothelioma Settlement Process
- Understanding Your Settlement: Taxes & Trust Funds
- FAQs
What Is the Average Mesothelioma Settlement?
The average mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 million to $1.4 million. Verdicts, when a jury decides the outcome, average $2.4 million or more. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Settlement amounts vary widely depending on your diagnosis, your exposure history and the defendants in your case. One person may settle for $2 million. Another may recover $32 million. Averages can be misleading and your case deserves more than a generic estimate.
Our attorneys have recovered mesothelioma settlements and verdicts ranging from $2.3 million to more than $32 million in individual mesothelioma cases. According to the RAND Corporation, asbestos defendants have paid more than $70 billion in total litigation costs. That money exists because firms like ours don’t settle for less than clients deserve.
What Is the Average Mesothelioma Settlement?
The average mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 million to $1.4 million. Verdicts, when a jury decides the outcome, average $2.4 million or more. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Settlement amounts vary widely depending on your diagnosis, your exposure history and the defendants in your case. One person may settle for $2 million. Another may recover $32 million. Averages can be misleading and your case deserves more than a generic estimate.
Our attorneys have recovered mesothelioma settlements and verdicts ranging from $2.3 million to more than $32 million in individual mesothelioma cases. According to the RAND Corporation, asbestos defendants have paid more than $70 billion in total litigation costs. That money exists because firms like ours don’t settle for less than clients deserve.
Our Mesothelioma Settlement & Verdict Results
No two mesothelioma cases look the same. The results below reflect real cases our attorneys handled, including occupational exposure, secondhand exposure and cases other firms declined. Every number represents a real person and a real fight.
Prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes, and every mesothelioma case is unique. These results reflect our commitment to our clients, even in cases other firms declined.
Amount | Case Description | |
$32M+ | Secondhand asbestos exposure | |
$23.6M | Talc pleurodesis procedure in Boston, MA. The original verdict of $39M was reduced to $23.6M. | |
$18M | Mesothelioma from talcum powder exposure | |
$5.5M | Navy boiler tender and power company employee | |
$5.4M | Journeyman pipefitter, Houston Ship Channel | |
$5.1M+ | Navy machinist’s mate turned civilian mechanic | |
$4M+ | Puerto Rican sugar mill mechanic; (another firm declined the case) | |
$3.6M | Navy boiler tender, CIA headquarters boiler rooms | |
$3.5M | Houston concrete laborer | |
$3.4M+ | Navy boiler tender who passed before testifying | |
$3.15M+ | Painter and taper with limited product exposure | |
$2.3M+ | School custodian who couldn’t identify manufacturers; (another firm declined the case) |
Settlements vs. Verdicts: Why Trial Experience Matters
A settlement is a negotiated agreement between you and the defendant, typically finalized before or during trial. The defendant pays an agreed amount and most often without an admission of guilt. A trial verdict is what happens when a judge or jury decides the outcome in court. Verdicts can result in higher awards, but they’re less predictable than settlements.
More than 95% of mesothelioma cases settle before trial. Defendants decide how much to offer based on how seriously they take the threat of going to court. A firm’s trial record directly shapes what defendants are willing to pay.
That’s where M&W stands apart. Our attorneys rank among the top 10 filers of asbestos cases nationally. Defendants take our reputation seriously, and it shows in what they offer.
The more than $32 million secondhand exposure verdict and the $5.5 million Navy case we achieved for our clients happened because our attorneys prepared every case as if a jury would decide it. That preparation is what yields higher settlements and verdicts.
Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts
Several factors determine compensation for a mesothelioma case. Some relate to your diagnosis. Others relate to your exposure history or the firm handling your case.
Diagnosis Type and Stage Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, is the most common type. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal lining. Stage at diagnosis affects prognosis and can influence the urgency and value of a claim.
Asbestos Exposure History The longer and more intense the exposure, the stronger the case. Documentation of where, when and how exposure occurred helps identify liable defendants.
Number and Viability of Defendants More solvent defendants typically means higher total compensation. Our attorneys investigate every potential source of liability to maximize your recovery.
Medical Expenses and Future Care Needs Treatment costs for mesothelioma are significant. Settlements account for current medical bills and projected future care costs.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity A diagnosis often ends or limits a person’s ability to work. Settlements can include compensation for lost wages and future earning capacity.
Age and Prognosis Younger patients with longer life expectancy may recover higher amounts because of greater projected losses.
The Firm’s Trial Track Record Defendants research the firm on the other side. A firm with a strong trial record commands higher settlement offers because defendants know the risk of going to court is real.
Case Complexity Some cases involve unusual exposure, like secondhand contact or talcum powder products. These require specialized expertise and thorough investigation to build a winning case.
Every case is different. The best way to understand what your case could bring is to speak with an attorney who has handled cases like yours.
Wrongful Death Mesothelioma Settlements
Family members can file a wrongful death mesothelioma lawsuit and recover settlement compensation after a loved one passes from mesothelioma. You don’t have to face this process alone and you don’t have to give up on justice because your loved one is gone.
Key Things to Know About Wrongful Death Mesothelioma Claims
- Families can recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income and loss of companionship
- Most wrongful death mesothelioma cases settle within 12 to 18 months
- Our attorneys can transition an existing personal injury case to a wrongful death claim if a patient passes during litigation
- Surviving spouses, children, parents and estate representatives can file
- The mesothelioma statute of limitations for wrongful death starts from the date of death, not the date of diagnosis
Surviving spouses, children, parents and estate representatives can all file wrongful death claims. These claims work similarly to personal injury cases, but the estate or family members recover compensation instead of the patient. Amounts can differ depending on the circumstances, the strength of the exposure history and the defendants involved.
Our attorneys secured a more than $3.4 million settlement for a Navy boiler tender who passed before he could testify. We built the case through other evidence and fought to the end.
Settlements for Secondhand Exposure & Difficult Cases
People exposed to asbestos secondhand can file a mesothelioma lawsuit and recover settlement compensation. Secondhand exposure happens when a worker brings asbestos fibers home on their clothes, hair or skin, and a family member inhales those fibers over time. Many people in this situation don’t realize they have a case, but they do.
Our attorneys won a $32 million verdict for a person whose mesothelioma developed through secondhand exposure. That result stands as one of the largest mesothelioma verdicts of its kind.
Cases Other Firms Declined
Not every mesothelioma firm takes on difficult cases, but we do. Some of our most significant results came from cases another attorney had already turned down.
A sugar mill mechanic from Puerto Rico came to us after another firm declined his case. We recovered more than $4 million. A school custodian couldn’t identify the manufacturers responsible for his asbestos exposure. Other attorneys walked away. Our investigators identified the defendants and secured a more than $2.3 million settlement. A Navy boiler tender passed away before he could testify. We built his case through other evidence and recovered more than $3.4 million for his family.
A second opinion can make all the difference in a mesothelioma case. Our attorneys have the experience and resources to take on cases that other firms won’t.
Veterans & Navy Mesothelioma Settlements
Military veterans, especially Navy veterans, are among the most common mesothelioma patients. The U.S. Navy used asbestos heavily in ships, boiler rooms and engine compartments for decades. Veterans who developed mesothelioma can file a lawsuit to recover settlement compensation, separate from any VA benefits they receive. Our attorneys have handled more Navy mesothelioma cases than most firms.
Some of our results for veterans:
- $5.5M for a Navy boiler tender who also worked for a power company
- $5.1M+ for a Navy machinist’s mate who later worked as a civilian mechanic
- $3.6M for a Navy boiler tender exposed in CIA headquarters boiler rooms
- $3.4M+ for a Navy boiler tender who passed before he could testify
Veterans can pursue both VA disability benefits and a lawsuit settlement. These are separate systems and one doesn’t disqualify the other. Veterans who receive a 100% VA disability rating can collect up to $4,158 per month in benefits while still pursuing a lawsuit.
The Mesothelioma Settlement Process
The mesothelioma settlement process can seem daunting, especially when you’re focused on treatment and family. But our attorneys handle every step of the legal process from filing to delivering your settlement to you and your family.
- Free case evaluation: Your attorney reviews your exposure history, diagnosis and potential claims to determine who bears responsibility for your illness.
- Investigation: Our team identifies asbestos products, exposure sites and liable defendants. This step builds the foundation of your case.
- Filing the lawsuit: We file your complaint in the appropriate jurisdiction and notify defendants of the claim.
- Discovery and depositions: Both sides gather evidence. If your attorney takes your deposition, we can arrange it at your home or hospital so you don’t have to travel.
- Settlement negotiations: Defendants make offers and our attorneys evaluate each one. We advise you on whether to accept or push for more.
- Trial: If defendants won’t offer fair compensation, we take the case to court. Most cases settle before this step, but we prepare every case as if a jury will decide it.
Most mesothelioma cases resolve within 12 to 18 months. Our attorneys move quickly for patients with advanced diagnoses who need compensation sooner. We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Understanding Your Settlement: Taxes & Trust Funds
Mesothelioma compensation can come from multiple sources, and the rules around each vary more than most people expect. An experienced attorney can help you navigate settlement taxes, trust fund claims and lawsuit settlements to make sure you recover as much as possible.
Are Mesothelioma Settlements Taxable?
Most mesothelioma settlement proceeds aren’t taxable. Under IRS Section 104(a)(2), compensation for physical injury or illness doesn’t count as taxable income. That means the bulk of what you recover typically stays with you and your family.
Not every part of a settlement gets the same treatment, though. Punitive damages, which courts award to punish defendants rather than compensate you, may be taxable. Interest on delayed payments can also be taxable. If your settlement includes compensation for lost wages, the IRS may treat that portion as taxable income as well.
Some people choose a structured settlement, which spreads payments over time instead of delivering a lump sum. This approach can offer tax planning advantages depending on your situation. If Medicare or Medicaid covered any of your treatment costs, the government may also require a portion of your settlement to fund a set-aside account before you receive the rest. A tax professional can help you understand how your specific settlement breaks down.
Trust Fund Claims vs. Lawsuit Settlements
Many companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy. Before closing, many of those companies set up asbestos trust funds to compensate future claimants. More than $30 billion remains in those funds today.
Many patients pursue both lawsuits against solvent companies and trust fund claims against these bankrupt companies simultaneously. This can significantly increase total compensation. These are individual claims, not class action lawsuits. Each case gets evaluated on its own merits. Trust fund claims and lawsuit settlements aren’t the same thing, and they aren’t mutually exclusive.
Trust Fund Claims | Lawsuit Settlements | |
Who you file against | Bankrupt asbestos companies | Solvent defendants |
Average amount | $300K–$400K | $1M–$1.4M |
Timeline | 6–12 months | 12–18 months |
Can you file both? | Yes | Yes |
Mesothelioma Settlements: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average mesothelioma settlement amount?
The average mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 million to $1.4 million. Trial verdicts average $2.4 million or more. Our attorneys have recovered individual results ranging from $2.3 million to more than $32 million.
How long does it take to get a mesothelioma settlement?
Most mesothelioma cases settle within 12 to 18 months. Our attorneys move faster for patients with advanced diagnoses who need compensation sooner.
Are mesothelioma settlements taxable?
Most mesothelioma settlement proceeds aren't taxable under IRS Section 104(a)(2). Punitive damages and interest on delayed payments may be taxable. A tax professional can help you understand how your specific settlement breaks down.
Can family members receive a mesothelioma settlement?
Yes. Surviving spouses, children, parents and estate representatives can be eligible to file wrongful death claims after a loved one passes from mesothelioma. Our attorneys also recovered a $32M+ verdict in a secondhand exposure case, where a family member developed mesothelioma through a worker's contaminated clothing.
Can I get a mesothelioma settlement if another law firm declined my case?
Yes. Our attorneys have recovered millions in cases other firms declined, including a $4M+ verdict for a sugar mill mechanic and a $2.3M+ settlement for a school custodian who couldn't identify manufacturers.
Can veterans receive mesothelioma settlements?
Yes. Veterans can pursue lawsuit settlements separate from VA benefits. Our attorneys have recovered $5.5M, $5.1M+, $3.6M and $3.4M+ in Navy mesothelioma cases.
What is the largest mesothelioma settlement?
Individual mesothelioma verdicts have reached $250 million or more in cases against companies like Johnson & Johnson. Our firm's largest result is a $32M+ verdict in a secondhand asbestos exposure case.
Are mesothelioma lawsuits class actions, and can I file a trust fund claim too?
Mesothelioma cases are individual claims, not class actions. Each case is evaluated based on your specific exposure history, diagnosis and losses, which typically results in higher compensation than class action settlements.
Patients can also file trust fund claims separately from a lawsuit settlement and pursue both simultaneously. Trust fund claims average $300,000 to $400,000 and lawsuit settlements average $1 million to $1.4 million, so pursuing both can significantly increase total compensation.
How can a mesothelioma lawyer help with the statute of limitations?
A mesothelioma attorney identifies every applicable deadline, including personal injury, wrongful death and trust fund deadlines. They apply the discovery rule and any tolling exceptions that may extend your filing window. Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles all of this at no cost unless we win your case.
Contact Our Mesothelioma Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one received a mesothelioma diagnosis, contact our mesothelioma law firm today for a free, confidential case review. We’re available 24/7 and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
The statute of limitations may limit the time you have to file. Don’t wait.
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Notable Results
$32,000,000+
Asbestos Exposure Verdict
$5,100,000+
Mesothelioma Settlement
$4,000,000+
Mesothelioma Settlement
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